Youth Entrepreneurs of Atlanta (YE-ATL), a privately funded business program hosted in public high schools, teaches students free-enterprise fundamentals through hands-on learning activities, including a final project of writing and presenting a workable business plan. During the spring, every YE-ATL student must complete and present a business plan. While students are encouraged to develop plans for profitable businesses, they are also urged to consider what they’re most passionate about and create a business idea out of that passion. A team of educators and business professionals judge the students’ plans, and the winning students at each participating school take part in a city-wide Youth Entrepreneurs competition for Venture Capital Awards. YE-ATL students learn about different types of businesses and the many aspects of running a business. The goal of the program is to spark students’ interest in owning their own business or creating value as an employee by “thinking like an owner.” YE-ATL’s role is to reveal avenues of opportunity for young people who dare to dream.
